Guest article: Michigan's latest 2022 Wolf Management Plan

By Nancy Warren, Executive Director and Great Lakes Regional Director, National Wolfwatcher Coalition

Western Upper Peninsula wolf. Note the collar and red ear tag in right ear indicating she was collared in Michigan. Click on photo for larger version.

In order to understand the latest updated Wolf Management Plan for Michigan, you may wish to review these Fast Facts:

• Federal protections, under the Endangered Species Act, were restored on February 10, 2022, for wolves in most of the US, including Michigan. Wolves in those states covered by the court order cannot be killed for any reason except defense of human life.
  
  
• In 2011, wolves in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and Utah lost their federal protections when a rider was attached to a "must-pass" federal budget bill. However, due to the egregious hunting and trapping practices in the Northern Rockies, a formal petition was filed by many conservation groups, including the National Wolfwatcher Coalition, to restore protections. A decision by US Fish and Wildlife Services is expected soon.
  
  
• The Michigan wolf population has remained stable for more than 12 years -- between 600 and 700 wolves. No wolves have been detected in the Lower Peninsula.
  
  
• Michigan’s UP has about 1,000 working farms, with 50,000 head of cattle. In 2022, only three farms experienced a conflict with wolves and only one farm experienced more than one event. Six calves were killed.
  
  
• Producers were reimbursed the fair market value for those animals killed as determined by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Total amount paid was $3357.
  
  
• The low number of conflicts is consistent with prior years with only a handful of farms experiencing a conflict.
  
  
• Wolf-Dog conflicts are also low and consistently involve hunting dogs in pursuit of game such as bear, bobcat and hare.
  
  
• Upon delisting, livestock producers and dog owners can use lethal control if a wolf is "in the act" of attacking their animals; livestock producers can also be issued permits to use licensed hunters to kill wolves at chronic farms.
  
  
• Weather -- not wolves -- has the greatest impact on deer populations. Research shows that in the UP, nearly 70 percent of the wolf predations of adult does occurred in the late winter and spring months when body condition of deer was at its poorest. Further investigation into the body condition of adult does killed by wolves in the high snowfall zone found that nearly half (43 percent) were in extremely poor nutritional condition and likely would not have survived the winter even if they were not preyed upon.
  
  
• Before a wolf hunting and trapping season can take place, wolves need to be federally delisted. Then, DNR must engage in tribal consultations and consider input from stakeholders, department biologists, and the general public. Ultimately, the Natural Resources Commission will decide whether a hunting/trapping season will occur.

2022 Wolf Management Plan Update

Having served on the council for developing the guiding principles for the 2008 and 2015 plan updates, I understand what must be considered in a wolf management plan. Do wolves even need to be managed? There are different interpretations of what it means to "manage" wolves. There are competing values. Some believe the only good wolf is a dead one; others believe no wolf should be killed for any reason.  Some question the ethics of collaring wolves. Fortunately, those extremes represent a very small minority.

What role should politics, lawsuits and the media play?

We learn more and more about wolves as evidenced by the more than 100 new scientific citations referenced in this updated plan. There is still so much more to learn. GPS collars and other technology have given us insight into pack dynamics, territory size, dispersal and mortality.

There is a role playing exercise I do with high school students with each team studying the position of a different stakeholder -- including the farmer who lost livestock to wolves, the hunter, the biologist, the politician, the Native American, the "protectionist," etc. Then a stuffed wolf is placed on a ring with cords attached to it while each student holds a piece of cord.  They are tasked with lifting the wolf and walking with it and balancing the wolf and ring on a ball which moves. If one side pulls too hard, the wolf falls.

In this role playing exercise students learn how stakeholders need to work together to balance wolf management. (Photo courtesy Nancy Warren)

Wolf management is a balancing act. Michigan wolves do not live in isolation. They do not understand state boundaries. We all need to work together for the wolf to survive and thrive in Michigan and elsewhere.

I believe the updated 2022 Michigan Wolf Management Plan, which was recently signed, accomplishes that goal.

Consistent with the 2008 and 2015 plans, the update provides guiding principles for wolf management and utilizes the most current biological and social science complied in the White Paper  "Review of Social and Biological Science Relevant to Wolf Management in Michigan."

The four goals remain the same as described in the earlier plans:
•    Maintain a viable population
•    Facilitate wolf-related benefits
•    Minimize wolf-related conflicts
•    Conduct science-based and socially responsible management.

Also unchanged, the update does not identify a target population size, nor does it establish an upper limit for the number of wolves in Michigan.

The plan also recognizes the cultural and religious values regarding wolves important to many Native Americans.

In general, statewide, public attitudes towards wolves have improved since the 2006 Survey.

The present Wolf Management Plan indicates the estimated percentage of people who desire a reduced wolf population is 24.0 percent while 49.9 percent desire an increase.

Majority of respondents do not support killing wolves in the event of wolves killing a pet, hunting dog or livestock; only 35 percent support lethal control to address predation on livestock, even less for hunting dogs and pets.

Statewide, less than half support a wolf hunting season (down from the 2015 survey).  70.2 percent of the general public strongly or moderately agreed that wolves are an important part of ecosystems. 80.2 percent strongly, moderately, or somewhat agree that wolves have an inherent right to exist. 49.9 percent desire an increase in the wolf population (24 percent prefer fewer). Support for compensation for livestock producers declined, only 48.5 percent indicated it was somewhat, moderately, or highly acceptable to use tax dollars for compensation (2015, 58 percent).

49.2 percent of state residents support and 30.4 percent oppose a legal, recreational hunting season for wolves, if biologists and the DNR believed the wolf population could sustain it.

2022 Plan Highlights

The Plan places a strong emphasis on the need for education and stresses the importance of non-lethal measures to resolve wolf conflicts.

It states, "To the extent non-lethal methods are effective at eliminating or minimizing depredation problems, lethal control of wolves will not be necessary. However, when such practices prove to be ineffective, are not expected to be effective, or are infeasible, lethal control may be necessary to prevent problems.
 
"Lethal control will be a management option in situations where loss of livestock has been documented or where a wolf is in the act of depredating livestock; it will not be used as a preventative measure in areas where livestock depredation has not yet occurred."

Western Upper Peninsula wolf.

Some groups, lawmakers and even members of the Natural Resources Commission have often incorrectly interpreted the definition of a "viable" population of wolves, even though the prior plans clearly stated 200 wolves is not a target population size. Therefore, the updated plan further defines a viable population by explaining wolves are "an integral part of the natural resources of the State and are a component of naturally functioning Michigan ecosystems. In the context of the DNR’s mission and its implicit public trust responsibilities for the State’s wildlife, natural communities and ecosystems, the maintenance of a viable wolf population is an appropriate and necessary goal."

The Plan does not oppose or support a wolf hunting season.  Rather, it addresses under what circumstances a hunt may take place for the purpose of reducing conflicts versus a recreational hunt.

For addressing conflicts through the use of hunters and trappers, the plan states, "If it is determined that the number of conflicts are correlated to wolf abundance, or the spatial extent of the conflicts indicate it involves multiple pack territories, it may warrant the consideration of reducing wolf numbers in areas that span multiple pack territories to reduce the risk of future conflicts. Such consideration could be necessary if a high density of wolves in an area, rather than the behavior of individual wolves, is determined to be responsible for problems that could not otherwise be addressed through non-lethal or individually directed lethal method."  Further, it explains, "There is scientific uncertainty relative to the use of wolf harvest as a conflict management tool because most wildlife managers do not have experience with this approach for wolves."

When considering a wolf hunting / trapping season for recreational purposes, the DNR is committed to evaluating the biological effects of a season and public attitudes. The plan states, "If biologically sustainable, legally feasible, and socially responsible, develop recommendations to the NRC to offer opportunities for the public to harvest wolves for recreational purposes."

To address ecological, social, and regulatory shifts in a timely manner, the DNR will review and update this plan at 10-year intervals.

The wolf management plan is 74 pages (plus appendices and cited references). I highlighted just a few of the most controversial aspects of wolf management. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at nancy@wolfwatcher.org

Editor's Note: For more information and news from the National Wolfwatcher Coalition, visit their Web site: https://wolfwatcher.org/

Yoopers for Ukraine continue Walks for Ukraine, fundraising actions, more...

By Michele Bourdieu

Displaying flags and signs calling for an end to Putin's war on Ukraine to passing traffic at rush hour, Yoopers for Ukraine lead a walk across the Portage Lift Bridge from Houghton to Hancock on a windy Nov. 2, 2022. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON-HANCOCK -- Nearly every Wednesday at 5 p.m., from August to November, Yoopers for Ukraine continued their weekly walks across the Portage Lift Bridge in support of Ukraine. This community group has been leading walks for Ukraine across the Lift Bridge since the war began last February. Recently, because of winter weather, they decided to change the time of the walk to 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons, in order to be able to cross the bridge in daylight.

On a snowy Nov. 17, John Loosemore, right, of Hancock and two of his children, Jethro and Kaitlyn, join Yoopers for Ukraine leaders Nazar Gora, left, and Nadija Packauskas, for a photo on the Portage Lift Bridge during their walk. The Loosemore family have participated in almost every local Ukraine Walk. (Photo © and courtesy Adelina Oronova)

The last Wednesday walk was on Nov. 23, after sundown, when organizer Nadija Packauskas announced that the walks would be changed to a daytime hour. After a Facebook poll, Sunday at 2 p.m. was selected as the new time for the walks.

A chilly Sunday -- Dec. 4, 2022 -- did not discourage the hardiest Ukraine supporters from demonstrating on the bridge.

The Sunday winter walks began on Dec. 4. Pictured here are, from left, Adelina Oronova, Craig Waddell, the Loosemore children (including the youngest, Jacob, third from left), John Loosemore and Nadija Packauskas. (Photo © and courtesy Nazar Gora)

Craig Waddell of Houghton, who joined the Dec. 4 Walk for Ukraine, told Keweenaw Now his reason for supporting Ukraine.

"This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, 'death by hunger,' a genocidal famine in Ukraine in 1932-33 orchestrated by Joseph Stalin in his efforts to industrialize and to collectivize agriculture and also to stop the Ukraine independence movement," Waddell said. "The effects of the Holodomor are still felt today, for example, as a consequence of population-replacement policies that moved ethnic Russians into areas formerly populated by the 4 to 7 million Ukrainians who perished in that genocidal famine. These ethnic-Russian areas are now claimed by Vladimir Putin. That’s why we’re marching today."*

Nadija Packauskas, co-founder of Yoopers for Ukraine, also referred to the Holodomor in a video she took during the Dec. 4 Walk, noting that, just as Stalin used hunger as a weapon against the Ukrainian people,Vladimir Putin is using winter as a weapon of war.

"He is shutting off water. He is shutting off electricity. He is purposely hitting public utiities, purposely making sure that people have no warmth, no water and no access to warmth, no access to light," she said.**

Nadija noted Yoopers for Ukraine support an organization that helps Ukrainians -- Ukraine Trust Chain, a tax-exempt public charity that funds aid and evacuations for Ukrainians in the active war zone. Their volunteers provide urgent food, medical supplies and rides to safety. 

Nadija added this organization makes every dollar count and you can even give just one dollar.

"One dollar gives 3 loaves of bread. One dollar buys 10 candles for a family," she noted.

See below for links to several organizations that accept donations for Ukraine.***

The next Sunday Walk for Ukraine will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. Meet on the Houghton side of the Lift Bridge.

Walks for Ukraine: November 2, 2022

Participants in the Nov. 2, 2022, Walk for Ukraine begin their walk across the Portage Lift Bridge. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

At the Nov. 2 walk, two regular participants, Tom and Beth Maki of Lake Linden, who are pictured at the end of the above video displaying flags at the corner of Shelden Avenue near the bridge, said they were concerned for their son, Matt, who has been in Ukraine working as a teacher for 10 years. He did not attempt to leave Ukraine even when bombing came close to the town where he works.

After crossing the bridge to Hancock, walkers return to Houghton. After each weekly walk, some continue to demonstrate at the corner near the end of the bridge, receiving supportive honks from passing traffic.

October Walks for Ukraine

During the October walks, Keweenaw Now interviewed some of the participants on their reasons for supporting Ukraine.

During the Oct. 26 Walk, one of the younger participants, Indrek Seigel, a student at Houghton High School, whose mother, Michigan Tech Professor Marika Seigel, is of Estonian origin, spoke with Keweenaw Now. He then led the walk across the bridge to Hancock.

Indrek Seigel, son of Marika Seigel and student at Houghton High School, tells Keweenaw Now why he is participating in the Oct. 26, 2022, Walk for Ukraine. Indrek, followed by Marika, leads the walkers to the Portage Lift Bridge for the Walk to Hancock and back.

While waiting for the Oct. 19 Walk to begin, Adelina Oronova, Fulbright Ukrainian Scholar at Michigan Tech and one of the co-founders of Yoopers for Ukraine, spoke about the dangers from the Russian control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, which is near her home town.

On Oct. 19, Adelina Oronova comments on the effects of the war in Ukraine on her home town, Zaporizhzhia, which is about 80 miles from the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and on her family members. Oronova helps organize the Yoopers for Ukraine Walks and other activities.

In early December Oronova told Keweenaw Now that despite the sufferings this war has inflicted on Ukrainian civilians, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zalensky spoke for Ukrainians' refusal to give up their resistance against Russian aggression.

"Over the last few weeks, Ukraine has experienced blackouts as Russia keeps targeting the country's energy facilities and other crucial infrastructure," Oronova said. "In the winter time, with temperatures quickly dropping, it could be considered 'energy terrorism.' And this is exactly why they do it -- they hope that it will incline Ukrainian people to have negotiations on less favorable conditions. But as Zelensky represented Ukrainians, he said this to Russia: 'Without lights or you? Without you.' And I totally agree. My family, along with millions of Ukrainians, experience scheduled blackouts, absence of water, and heat from time to time. But, as Zelensky said, 'Cold, hunger, darkness, and thirst -- for us these are less frightening and less deadly than your friendship and brotherhood.'"

The Oct. 19, 2022, Ukraine Walk begins as participants head toward the Portage Lift Bridge, displaying their signs and flags in support of Ukraine.

Another participant in the Oct. 19 Walk -- Connor, a Michigan Tech student, also spoke with Keweenaw Now.

During the Oct. 19, 2022, Walk for Ukraine, Connor, a student at Michigan Tech, tells Keweenaw Now why he participates.

On Oct. 5, some members of Ukrainian refugee families now living in Houghton joined the walk.

Led by Angi Denesynko of Ukraine, participants in the Oct. 5 Walk, including two Ukrainian families, return from Hancock, crossing the Portage Lift Bridge to Houghton.

Tatiana Filipova, right, is pictured here at the Oct. 5 Walk for Ukraine with her two daughters, Olivia (in white coat) and May, and her husband, Chaika. The family moved here from Kharkiv, Ukraine. At far left is Alisa Denesynko, daughter of Angi Denesynko, pictured in video above. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Also in October Yoopers for Ukraine held a Walk / Run Family Fun Day on Mont Ripley, including activities for kids. Displays about Ukraine outside the ski chalet created awareness for the family event and fundraiser.

Colorful Ukraine t-shirts await participants in the Yoopers for Ukraine Family Fun Day at the Mont Ripley Ski Hill on Oct. 23. (Photo © and courtesy Adelina Oronova)

September Actions for Ukraine

In September Yoopers for Ukraine devoted energy to creating a prize-winning float for the Parade of Nations. In fact, their float won first prize!

Riding and walking with their prize-winning float, Yoopers for Ukraine participate in the Sept. 17, 2022, Parade of Nations on the Portage Lift Bridge between Hancock and Houghton.

Shortly after the Parade of Nations, Nadija Packauskas and her father, Vytautas Packauskas, accompanied by Mila Yutskevych, Michigan Tech Fulbright graduate student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, went to Washington, D.C., for the September 18-20 Ukraine Action Summit, a community advocacy event in D.C., where they met with other advocates for Ukraine and Senators and Congressional Representatives in order to communicate needs for aid to Ukraine.

Nadija Packauskas, left, and her father, Vytautas Packauskas, far right, are pictured here on the Capitol steps in Washington, D.C., with other participants in the Ukraine Action Summit. (Photo © and courtesy Mila Yutskevych)

"Hopefully we managed to convince Representatives and Senators to push further and keep helping Ukraine," Mila Yutskevych stated in a Facebook post following the event.

Mila Yutskevych is pictured here in front of the U.S. Capitol Building during the Ukraine Action Summit last September. (Photo © and courtesy Mila Yutskevych)

August Walks for Ukraine

Keweenaw Now interviewed Mila Yutskevych, shortly after her arrival in the U.S., during the Aug. 17 Walk for Ukraine in Houghton.

Mila Yutskevych from Ukraine, a new student at Michigan Tech University, speaks about the war in her country during the Aug. 17, 2022, Walk for Ukraine in Houghton.

Marika Seigel, Michigan Tech professor in Humanities, also participated in the Aug. 17 Walk for Ukraine. She spoke with Keweenaw Now about her support for Ukraine.

Marika Seigel, Michigan Tech professor in Humanities (recently appointed to become Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of the Pavlis Honors College beginning in January, 2023), speaks about her Estonian heritage and why she is supportive of Ukraine. She then walks with the other participants in the Aug. 17, 2022, Walk for Ukraine from Houghton to Hancock and back.

August 24: Walk in honor of Ukrainian Independence Day

During the Aug. 24 Walk, Marika, left, is joined by her mother, Marianne Brokaw (former editor at Michigan Tech publications), second from left, Mila Yutskevich (with flag) and Ukrainian Natalija Iskhakova of Marquette. Some walkers wore ethnic clothing in honor of Ukrainian Independence Day, commemorating their Declaration of Independence of 1991. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Two Nigerian students spoke with Keweenaw Now as participants gathered in Houghton for the Aug. 24 Walk.

During the Aug. 24 Walk for Ukraine two Nigerian students now studying at Michigan Tech -- Samuel Nwankwo, Masters student in engineering, left, and Raymond Kamgba, Masters student in mechanical engineering -- speak to Keweenaw Now about their support for Ukraine.

A visitor to Houghton, Florida resident Jim Bacon, also joined the Aug. 24 Walk for Ukraine.

Florida resident Jim Bacon tells Keweenaw Now why he is participating in the August 24 Walk for Ukraine in Houghton. 

During the Aug. 24 Walk, some Ukrainians celebrated their Independence Day with music as they walked.

Supporters of Ukraine return from Hancock to Houghton on the Portage Lift Bridge during the Aug. 24, 2022, Walk for Ukraine.

Copper Harbor: Art in the Park

Yoopers for Ukraine participated in the annual Art in the Park event in Copper Harbor Aug. 21, 2022, with a colorful booth. 

Offering homemade Ukrainian pastries to visitors at the Yoopers for Ukraine Art in the Park booth are, from left, Angi Denesynko with her two daughters, Riana (holding cookies) and Alisa; Anna Hill of Chassell; and Nadija Packauskas. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Nadija and her Dad, Vytautas, complete the displays inside their Ukraine booth during Art in the Park in Copper Harbor. In addition to offering some art and crafts for sale, they answered questions about Ukraine from visitors. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Kids visiting the Ukraine booth were invited to draw pictures and write messages to Ukrainian children at a special drawing table.

To learn more about Yoopers for Ukraine visit their Facebook page.

Notes:

* Click here to learn about the Holodomor time of famine in Ukraine.

** To see the Dec. 4 video by Nadija Packauskas, click here.

*** To donate for aid to Ukraine, see the following:

https://www.ukrainetrustchain.org/donate-yoopers

https://sharedetroit.org/nonprofit/share-ukraine

https://ucareinc.org/  (Aid for Ukrainian children)

https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Copper Country Community Arts Council’s "6X6 and Party with the Arts" is Dec. 17

The Copper Country Community Arts Center on Quincy Street in Hancock welcomes everyone to "6X6 and Party with the Arts" on Saturday, Dec. 17. The Arts Center is now open daily -- Monday through Sunday -- for holiday shopping. (Photo courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center)

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Council (CCCAC) invites everyone to "6X6 and Party with the Arts" from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 17. The event will start at 1 p.m. with the reception and drawing at 1:30 for 6X6 works of art donated by local artists. Individuals may purchase a $40 ticket to receive one work of art at random or pay $100 donation for the work of their choice before the drawing takes place.

This is a fundraiser that supports CCCAC educational programs. A full listing of participating artists and the 6X6 inch works of art can be seen on the website at www.coppercountryarts.com

At 2 p.m. demonstrating artists Tammy Gajewski will be in the clay studio, Madhura Mehendale will be painting in watercolor, and Daniel Schneider will be in the letterpress studio. JD Uponen and Dave Morehouse will perform live holiday music. Enjoy cake and savory treats while getting your holiday shopping done (and giftwrapped) in a fun and lively atmosphere. There will also be an opportunity to meet the CCCAC Board of Directors and learn how you can get involved.

Many fine art gifts by local artists are available in the Copper Country Community Arts Center. (Photo courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center)

Join CCCAC for the last event of the year celebrating the Arts Council’s 50th anniversary and the 30th year for the Copper Country Community Arts Center. The CCCAC is supported in part by a grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Copper Country Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. Holiday hours are Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday and Monday noon-4 p.m. For more information call (906) 482-2333 or visit www.coppercountryarts.com.

Rozsa Center to present three holiday concerts: Michigan Tech Choirs Dec. 9, KSO Dec. 10, TubaChristmas Dec. 11

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra (KSO) will present a holiday concert featuring Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 and more at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Rozsa Center. (Photo courtesy Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts)

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech's Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts will be the scene of some great performances this weekend: Songs for the Moon with the Michigan Tech Concert Choir and conScience: Michigan Tech Chamber Singers on Friday, Dec. 9; The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra presenting Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 -- plus British symphonic music, Black Sabbath metal, and a premiere by Jazz Professor Emeritus Mike Irish -- on Saturday, Dec. 10; and TubaChristmas on Sunday, Dec. 11, in the Rozsa Lobby. All three events will be livestreamed during the performances.*

Songs for the Moon

The Michigan Tech Concert Choir and conScience: Michigan Tech Chamber Singers will present Songs for the Moon at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. (Image courtesy Rozsa Center)

Join the Michigan Tech choirs for a concert that celebrates the beauty of moonlight and wintertime at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. The concert will include performances by the Michigan Tech Concert Choir and conScience: Michigan Tech Chamber Singers. 

The Michigan Tech Concert Choir is a select ensemble of students and community singers studying and performing choral literature ranging from Gregorian Chant to Renaissance motets, masses and madrigals to fascinating new works by living composers.

If you enjoyed conScience in the annual New Music in the Mine concerts or loved them in the popular video by Visit Keweenaw, you definitely want to attend this spectacular concert!

Click here for tickets and details.

Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra

Music Director Joel Neves conducts the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra. (Photo © and courtesy Michigan Technological University)

Michigan Tech Music will present Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, performed by the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra (KSO) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Rozsa Center.  The KSO will be joined on stage by international concert pianist Lindsay Garritson.

Lindsay Garritson has performed throughout the United States and abroad since the age of four. She has appeared on stages such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. She has been a featured soloist with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Métropolitain (Montreal), Orquestra Sinfônica Barra Mansa (Brazil), the Yale Philharmonic Orchestra, and the European Philharmonic Orchestra, and now, the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra. (Photo © and courtesy Lisa-Marie Mazzucco)

The rest of the evening serves up a delightfully eclectic auditory menu of symphonic music, metal, and jazz. Featured artist Adam Meckler performs on flugelhorn for a Black Sabbath piece arranged by KSO Music Director Joel Neves and the world premiere of a work by Michigan Tech Jazz Professor Emeritus Mike Irish.

The concert will be live-streamed for far-away Michigan Tech Music lovers and alums.*

All public tickets for Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 are Pay As You’re Able. MichiganTech Music believes that the foundation of an equitable and inclusive arts culture requires making events financially accessible to all. This year they are beta testing Pay as You're Able ticketing on a few events, including this one. The $19 "full fee" represents the value of the KSO ticket. For some people, Pay As You’re Able may mean covering their ticket price and part of someone else's through "full fee +." It could also mean paying half or some of the ticket price. Pay As You’re Able invites all attendees to pay what they can afford.

Click here for tickets and details.

TubaChristmas

TubaChristmas, conducted by Mike Christianson, will be a free concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, in the Rozsa Lobby. (Image courtesy Rozsa Center)

TubaChristmas, an annual December event, occurs around the world in honor of the first truly great tuba virtuoso, William "Bill" Bell who was born on Christmas Day. Tubists gather yearly in mass numbers around the globe to play songs of the season in performances free to the public. TUBACHRISTMAS concerts are presented with permission from the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc.

* The above events will all be on Live Streaming.

Guest article: Breaking Down the Utopia of COP27

By Aritra Chakrabarty*

During COP27, members of indigenous communities protest the piling climate debt on developing countries. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photo © and courtesy Aritra Chakrabarty)

Once you enter the main venue at the COP 27 climate conference (the venue referred to as the Blue zone) your eyes are greeted with swarms of people sashaying across the different meeting and conference rooms. This year COP 27 --  held in November in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt -- saw over 35,000 participants. Their faces look important, their attire looks sharp, their diction appears perfect, and their walk appears focused. All of that is of course with a reason -- you’re at the annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference, popularly referred to as the Conference of Parties (COP). This year, COP was in its 27th annual meeting, held in the transcontinental country Egypt, which spans the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia.

The COP venue can be compared to a giant amusement park with many rides, many attractions, many booths, and many sights to see. A child wants to go on every ride, make the most of the day at the park, and not lose out on any of the magic tricks. At COP, the magic happens behind closed doors where negotiations are underway to decide on the minute details of documents (in particular nouns, verbs, and phrases that require substantiation and explicit mention of rights and responsibilities across all Parties). The kid can only choose a few of the many rides because by the end of the day, you’ll exit feeling knowing less than before, more crumbled than before. 

This installation in one of the pavilions counts down the critical time window to reach zero emissions. (Photo © and courtesy Aritra Chakrabarty)

The utopia of COP as the perfect venue for climate discussions, for demystifying climate science and policy, is a veneer that gives way to the reality of organized chaos inside this amusement park.

Role of the Parties

COP is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC Convention. All States that are Parties to the Convention are represented at each COP, during which they review the implementation of the agenda from previous conventions, review legal documents that have been mutually agreed upon by the Parties and take necessary decisions to promote the objective of UNFCCC. The Parties to the Convention also serve as representatives of the Parties that had signed and agreed to the Kyoto Protocol.** The Parties to the Convention also serve as representatives of the Parties that had signed and agreed to the Paris Agreement.***

The human body wearing away through time as the world heats up. (Photo © and courtesy Aritra Chakrabarty)

Entering the Blue Zone

Before you make any decision to attend one of the multitude of meetings happening concurrently, you should collect "swag" -- the goodies at COP. You’re handed a cloth satchel bag with a (glass) water bottle, another (metal) water bottle, a note pad and a pair of pencils. I’m not sure if it was only my expectations that were belied, but I was hoping for a better swag from COP -- one containing local craft and including an element of Egypt. But all that I could see was a "Made in China" tag on the bottles (sigh). Over the course of one week (or two depending on how long you plan to attend), you’ll have the opportunity to gather similar other swags from different country pavilions (these are the spaces allotted inside the Blue zone where each signatory Party showcases their agenda). This global climate change conference generates a significant number of promotional items as part of "green marketing."

The Blue zone is the important location where meetings happen, plenary sessions occur. Dignitaries, country representatives, and official representatives make statements, negotiate, give press conferences. This is where participants have the chance to make their agenda heard and to look for other stakeholders who hold similar business interests -- and, as they say in consulting parlance, where participants use this platform as a networking event to create prospective clientele. (There is another zone -- the "Green zone," situated ten minutes away by bus ride, which is the space for industry, academia, NGOs, and other private entities to piggy back on the wave of climate change keywords to pitch their work.)

Michigan Tech's Delegation

Pictured here at COP27 with author Aritra Chakrabarty, second from left, are three other members of Michigan Tech's delegation -- from left, Zachary Hough Solomon, Shardul Tiwari, and Katherine Huerta Sanchez. All are graduate students in Michigan Tech's Department of Social Sciences, Environment and Energy Policy Program. (Photo © and courtesy Shardul Tiwari)

In the Blue Zone, every day, you dress up to match the pulse of the crowd hoping that your attire will be noticed before you utter a word about your work. The question in your mind is, "How much information can I absorb today?" Because there is a gigantic amount of knowledge floating inside the venue and it is quite easy to wander off in that information cloud. As for me, I was present there as part of my college delegation from Michigan Technological University, which has an observer status under RINGO (Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organization) constituency. The RINGO constituency to the UNFCCC is one of the nine NGO constituencies recognized by UNFCCC with an observer status, and they represent 25 percent of the 2000 NGOs admitted to the conference.****

I was there along with my fellow colleagues to organize a panel session on the topic "Delocalizing Climate Policy through use of Knowledge of Local and Indigenous communities." This panel was part of the broad objective of the Paris Committee on Capacity Building (PCCB), which was established during COP 21. The PCCB was created to address current and future gaps that would emerge and would need focused capacity building in developing countries. The PCCB also serves the Paris Agreement and fosters collaboration among actors at all levels to promote knowledge and experience sharing.*****

Native Americans at COP27 protest against the funding of fossil fuel pipeline infrastructure. (Photo © and courtesy Aritra Chakrabarty)

Through the participation in the Capacity Building Hub organized by the PCCB, our objective was to inform climate policy making through local knowledge that has been the wealth of indigenous and other local communities for centuries and to show how their practices have helped in harboring a sustainable relationship between humans and the ecosystem. The intent was to advocate for local voices in adaptation strategies for utilizing the Loss and Damage climate fund productively to aid communities that are on the fringe lines of negative climate change events.

Loss and Damage related protests were the highlight of this COP. (Photo © and courtesy Aritra Chakrabarty)

There has also been substantial critique in international media regarding situating COP in a country that has a chequered history of human rights and environmental policy. There has been media backlash about curtailing freedom of expression in the form of negligible subdued protests outside the venue, compared to protests at COP 26, held in 2021 at Glasgow, UK.****** As a first-time participant, I did, however, witness a handful of "protests" that were held inside the venue this time.

Yes, I refer to it as "this" and allow me to shed light on why this is the case: One cannot hold a protest in the truest meaning of the word. Holding protests inside the venue requires approvals. If you have to organize a protest, you need to have a badge to enter the COP venue; your organization should submit a proposal that details the agenda of the protest, the duration of protest, a ball park figure of protestors, so on and so forth. From an activist point of view, this is hypocrisy and an act of surveillance. However, from a logistical perspective, it only makes sense for the organizers to know beforehand what and when you’ll be protesting in the venue.

It also made sense from an economic standpoint to have COP27 in Egypt. The event boosted the economy of the region, created the need for building infrastructure investments (roads, transport, services), created many skilled jobs for the young population, and generated an influx of foreign exchange. COP 27 saw one major victory by producing a Loss and Damage fund. But this COP saw several non-successes as well -- such as failure to commit to phasing out of fossil fuels, particularly coal; failure to raise ambition on targeting global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius; and greenwashing through carbon trading schemes. Nonetheless, those failures do not take away the importance of this global venue as the space that creates hope for a utopian world, and we will get there -- one step at a time.

Notes: 

* Guest author Aritra Chakrabarty is a PhD Research Scholar in Environment and Energy Policy at Michigan Tech University. 

** https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-kyoto-protocol/what-is-the-kyoto-protocol/kyoto-protocol-targets-for-the-first-commitment-period   

***  https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement 

**** https://ringosnet.wordpress.com/

***** https://unfccc.int/pccb

****** https://unfccc.int/conference/glasgow-climate-change-conference-october-november-2021 

Editor's Note: See also Keweenaw Now articles by members of Michigan Tech's delegation to COP 26 in Glasgow:

"Guest article: COP26 Reflection," by Alexis Pascaris. Jan 1, 2022.

"Guest article: COP26 -- An Indigenous Experience," by Kathleen Brosemer. Jan. 14, 2022.

"Guest article: Attending COP26: A lesson in distributive climate injustice," by Shardul Tiwari. Apr. 22, 2022.

Rozsa Center to present "A Christmas Carol" Dec. 1-4; Thick As Thieves student art exhibit Dec. 2-6

A Christmas Carol comes to the Rozsa stage Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 1-4. The favorite Dickens story is presented by Michigan Tech Theatre and performed by the Tech Theatre Company. (Image courtesy Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts)

Warm holiday memories arrive in the Keweenaw this weekend with A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens, adapted to the stage by Romulus Linney, and presented by Michigan Tech Theatre. The beloved holiday classic, directed by Trish Helsel, boasts a cast of nearly 40 local youth, Keweenaw community members, and Michigan Tech faculty, staff, and students.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, December 1, through Saturday, December 3, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, December 4.

From the first "Bah, Humbug!" to the final, "God bless us, everyone," this performance will delight audiences of all ages as they join Ebeneezer Scrooge on his journey of transformation and redemption.

"The Charles Dickens classic has long been a Christmas favorite; the story is much more universal in its message," says director Trish Helsel, Professor of Theatre at Michigan Tech. "I chose this stage adaptation because it does not paint Ebeneezer Scrooge as a villain, but rather someone broken by a series of devastating life events. Our production focuses on Scrooge’s ability to accept his past and embrace the present."

The strength of the Keweenaw community, its overwhelming artistic talent, and phenomenal young people were at the forefront of Helsel’s mind as she chose this year’s holiday show.

"The show was chosen as a community-centered production with a cast of Michigan Tech students, faculty, and community members," says Helsel. "It has been a pleasure to work with this lot of youngsters who range in age from 4 to 17 years. It is exciting to be a part of their induction into a professional theatre setting. Children are such fast learners! They have picked up the British dialects with ease, and they memorize quickly. Most importantly, they bring a sense of joy to the process."

Tickets are general admission -- available now at mtu.edu/rozsa, 906-487-1906, or at the Rozsa Box Office from 11a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday through Friday or for 1 hour before shows.  Michigan Tech Students can reserve free Experience Tech tickets online, and Student Rush will be available at the door. For more information, visit mtu.edu/rozsa.

Thick As Thieves: Student Gallery Showcase Exhibit, Reception

Visit the Rosza's Gallery B for the Thick As Thieves showcase of student art Dec. 2-6, with a reception on Friday, Dec. 2. (Image courtesy Rozsa Center)

In the Rozsa Center's Gallery B, Thick As Thieves, an end-of-semester showcase, features student works of art from the sculpture and design classes. Students from many campus disciplines are represented.

The Thick As Thieves exhibit extends from Friday, Dec. 2, through Tuesday, Dec. 6. GALLERY B HOURS: M-F 8 a.m. -8 p.m. and Sat. 1-8 p.m.

An artist reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, in the Rozsa Galleries.

Enjoy refreshments. Meet the student artists in a relaxed environment. See fantastic, student-made art.

The exhibit will include the work of Gibryn Arney, Lily Atton-Doornbos, Mykaela Cayemberg, Jack Colwell, Tara Estrada, Abby Jurewicz, John Mazur, Riley Nelson, Audrey Schulte, Casey Smith, Ferran Delgado Garcia, Nikki C. Donley, Faith D. Gaertner, Seth M. Olson, Josie M. Stalmack, Madalyn R. Tudor-Duncan, Frida A. Visser, and Cas Mankowski. 

Click here for details.

Wisconsin DNR sends Enbridge a list of demands

By Barbara With*

Posted Nov. 1, 2022, on Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative

Reprinted here with permission

Terrain near Copper Falls State Park, Wis., where Enbridge plans to do horizontal directional drilling to build a pipeline. (Photo courtesy Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative)

On October 31, 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR) sent Enbridge Energy a letter asking for data needed to prepare the environmental impact statement (EIS) for their proposed Line 5 reroute through the Bad River watershed. Among other things, the letter questions the drilling fluids -- how many and what other damaging additives they plan to use -- and how they will contain PFAS.

READ LETTER HERE

Just two weeks prior, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed criminal charges against Enbridge for the damage they did in northern Minnesota when they built Line 3. Among other things, on August 10, 2021 the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) released a report saying there had been more frack outs of drilling fluid spilled along Line 3 than Enbridge had previously reported. The state water permit issued to Enbridge did not authorize the release of drilling fluid to a wetland or river. But between June 8 and August 5, Enbridge created 28 releases at 12 river crossings, with 13 spills into wetlands and 14 in upland areas. Enbridge brokered an $11M settlement with the State and must promise to not break the law again.

WIDNR is in the process of developing an EIS in response to Enbridge’s proposed plan to reroute their ailing pipeline out of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s reservation. The Band did not renew Enbridge’s easement in 2013, but Enbridge continued to operate illegally. Bad River sued in 2019, and on September 7, 2022 Enbridge was found guilty of criminal trespass and unjust enrichment and ordered to pay financial compensation.

Instead of decommissioning Line 5, they plan to reroute it into the million-year-old watershed of the Penokee Hills. They are proposing doing horizontal directional drilling (HDD) through terrain that, in the event of a spill, would be near impossible to respond to. The watershed flows into Lake Superior through the Kakagon Sloughs, home of Bad River’s wild rice. Considering the damage done in Minnesota and their propensity to lie, Enbridge should be pressed with the hard questions of how they would plan to protect the area from their reckless practices.

In August 2022, WIDNR reported that an Enbridge contractor discovered oil-contaminated soil along the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline just south of the City of Ashland. Several thousand pounds of dirt were removed according to eye witnesses. Enbridge reported it was only about a tablespoon. Enbridge continues to demonstrate that they cannot be forthcoming with the truth.

Bad River Chairman Mike Wiggins Jr: "Deep Blue under Earth drinking water aquifers look like they are reaching out but they are actually pouring down and pouring in. Wispy areas are where surface waters and groundwaters interact, and it’s hardly a place for Earth destroyers. Water is life." Click on map for larger version. (Map courtesy Mike Wiggins, Jr.)

To make matters worse, Enbridge has already signed a contract with the Michels Corporation to build Line 5. Owner Tim Michels would profit greatly from WIDNR granting permits. The Michels Corporation, however, has been part of criminal charges recently filed by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro against Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) for the work they did on the Mariner East 2 pipeline. Michels was the construction company and the grand jury investigation revealed that Michels lost drilling fluid 22 different times during the drilling of the 20-inch line and another nine times during work on the 16-inch line.**

READ THE GRAND JURY REPORT

Drilling for a 16-inch line began in May 2020 with Michels as the subcontractor. Between May and August, the drill lost circulation of fluid totaling approximately 100,000 gallons. These losses were not reported to DEP (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection). From August through September, drilling fluid flowed into Snitz Creek five different times, resulting in five more Notices of Violation from DEP.

Grand Jury investigation into Mariner East 2 Pipeline 

Taking all of this into account, how can Enbridge or Michels be trusted here? Does it matter how they respond to WIDNR request for information?

Enbridge should not be trusted to monitor themselves. Million-dollar fines are calculated as a cost of doing business, leaving behind damaged aquifers, contaminated soil, poisoned wells, millions of gallons of water wasted, and remediation projects that cost millions of dollars and take years to complete. In light of the evidence that Enbridge breaks the law repeatedly, WIDNR would be wise to not allow them into the watershed.

Decommission the line and let Enbridge use any of the many other lines they have running through Wisconsin to reroute their oil.

Editor's Notes:

* Guest author Barbara With is a journalist for the Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative.

** When Tim Michels was running for governor of Wisconsin in the recent midterm election, he promised to break up WIDNR. Since the original date of publication of this article, he lost that election to incumbent Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers.

Water is Life: Indigenous Lifeways Threatened by Enbridge’s Line 5

From Anishinaabek Caucus:

In this new video from the Anishinaabek Caucus, tribal leaders and Native community members share how #Enbridge #Line5 currently impacts and the proposed tunnel will continue to harm Native communities in the Mackinac Straits of Michigan.

Through sharing about lifeways and connection to the Straits, they affirm that #WaterIsLife. They envision Michiganders safeguarding the Great Lakes out of gratitude for the life they give and the place of gathering they provide. They envision Michiganders powering quality of life for all with renewable energy that never risks life-giving water or the places that make life worth living. For more information visit  https://www.anishinaabekcaucus.org/ou...

This video is a collaboration between the School of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan and the Anishinaabek Caucus. Filming/Production/Editing: Steve Gute from Confluence Documentary. (Video and text published with permission.) Click on YouTube icon for original larger view.

4th Annual People of the Heart Water Walk: a spiritual journey near Lake Superior to honor Nibi (Water)

By Michele Bourdieu

Participants in the 4th annual People of the Heart Water Walk complete the 3-day, 90-mile walk from Baraga to Copper Harbor on Oct. 10, 2022, Indigenous Peoples' Day. (Photo © and courtesy Steve Brimm)

Despite some chilly mornings, a relay of participants completed the 4th annual People of the Heart Water Walk on Monday, October 10, 2022, Indigenous Peoples' Day. This year the 90-mile walk along Lake Superior up the Keweenaw Peninsula began at the Sand Point Lighthouse near Baraga and ended near Copper Harbor.

This map shows the route of the 3-day Water Walk along Keweenaw Bay and then crossing the Keweenaw Peninsula to continue along Lake Superior. (Map courtesy Kathleen Smith)

Native and non-Native walkers take turns carrying a copper vessel of Nibi (Water) constantly moving from dawn until dusk, accompanied by the eagle staff for protection. The Walk is a spiritual journey to honor the Water and call attention to the need to protect it.

Day 1, Oct. 8, 2022:

The Water Walk begins at dawn on Saturday, Oct. 8, as participants depart from the Sand Point Lighthouse near Baraga. (Photo © and courtesy Kathleen Smith)

Participants headed from Baraga to Houghton, their destination for Day 1.

Joined by more participants along the way and followed by their cars for safety, Water Walkers follow Cynthia Drake, who carries the vessel of Nibi, and Jacob, carrying the eagle staff -- son of Kathleen Smith, organizer and co-founder of the People of the Heart Water Walk. (Photo © and courtesy Kathleen Smith)

On Oct. 8, 2022, Water Walkers arrive at the Houghton waterfront, completing their first day of the 3-day walk to honor Nibi and call attention to the need to protect it. Native and non-Native residents and visitors walk together. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

On Oct. 8, 2022, Water Walkers gather near the peace poles on the Houghton waterfront after completing Day 1 of the 3-day walk from Baraga. Some make a tobacco offering for the water as the walkers prepare for a group photograph. The Rev. Bucky Beach, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Houghton, who participated in the walk, speaks about the peace poles, noting the Ojibwa/Anishinaabe language is one of several languages with a message for peace written on the poles.

The weather is still a bit chilly as Water Walkers gather for a group photo on the Houghton waterfront after completing the first day of the Walk. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

As walkers arranged for transportation to a feast hosted by Finlandia University in Hancock, a visitor to the Keweenaw, Wil Strickland of Ann Arbor, told Keweenaw Now why he decided to join the Water Walk.

Wil Strickland describes his work in making ribbon skirts for some of the kwe (women) walkers and tells Keweenaw Now why he traveled all the way from Ann Arbor, Mich., to join the Walk.

Finlandia University in Hancock hosts the Water Walkers for a feast the evening of Oct. 8. (Photo © and courtesy Kathleen Smith)

Kathleen Smith's son Jacob is pictured here with a work by a local artist, welcoming the Water Walkers to the feast following the walk on Oct. 8. (Photo © and courtesy Kathleen Smith)

Day 2: Oct. 9, 2022:

Day 2 of the Walk, Sunday, Oct. 9, began at dawn as participants crossed the Portage Lift Bridge, heading for Eagle River.

Kathleen Smith's son Caleb carries the eagle staff across the Lift Bridge very early on Sunday, Oct. 9. (Photo © and courtesy Kathleen Smith)

As the group passed through Laurium, a mother and her two children joined them.

Kathleen Smith posted on Facebook this photo she took along with this comment: "Beautiful story with this mother and two children. They read the water walkers children's book. They tried to walk with us earlier but went to a different highway. They ended up at a park and we showed up. They got to walk with us." (Photo © and courtesy Kathleen Smith)

Carol Rose, a local resident who wanted to show support for the walkers, treated them to their choice of an ice cream cone, pop or coffee at Sundae in the Park when they walked through Mohawk.

Later, after completing the Day 2 walk near Eagle River, the Water Walkers returned to Mohawk to enjoy a feast at Bethany Lutheran Church.

At the end of their second long day of walking, participants in the Water Walk restore their energy with a feast hosted by Bethany Lutheran Church in Mohawk. (Photo © Theresa Pitts and courtesy Kathleen Smith) 

Chief cooks for the Walkers, Rachael Pressley (left) and Emily Shaw, enjoy their behind-the-scenes work of providing food (miijim) for the hungry participants in the Water Walk. (Photo © and courtesy Kathleen Smith)

Day 3: Oct. 10, 2022 -- Indigenous Peoples' Day

Day 3, the final day of the Walk, began at dawn along M-26 just south of Eagle River, despite a chilly 25 degrees F.

A cold but beautiful sky at dawn near Eagle River greeted the Water Walkers. (Photo © and courtesy Gichigamikwe Terri Swartz)

Walkers began their third and final day of the Walk with a song and chant in the Ojibwa language:

Just outside Eagle River at dawn on Oct. 10, Kathleen Smith leads Water Walkers in the Nibi (Water) Song. The pronunciation is as follows:
Ne-be Gee Zah- gay- e- goo
Gee Me-gwetch -wayn ne- me – goo
Gee Zah Wayn ne- me- goo
The words mean "Water, we love you.
We thank you.
We respect you."*

From Eagle River the Water Walkers headed toward their final destination, Copper Harbor.

Leaving Eagle River, Water Walkers head up M-26 along Lake Superior to Copper Harbor. (Photo © and courtesy Gichigamikwe Terri Swartz)

While Walkers carrying the copper vessel of Nibi and the eagle staff kept moving without stopping, some participants paused briefly at Great Sand Bay, between Eagle River and Eagle Harbor, where Keweenaw Now was able to interview them. Sunshine warmed up the day a bit.

Participants in the 4th annual People of the Heart Water Walk pass Great Sand Bay on Lake Superior on their way to Copper Harbor on Oct. 10, 2022, Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Marsha Pfarr of Baraga told Keweenaw Now why she volunteered to be a driver for the Walk.

Marsha Pharr, who volunteers to drive the People of the Heart Water Walkers, tells Keweenaw Now why this is important to her as an Anishinaabek. The interview took place on Oct. 10, 2022, at Great Sand Bay on Lake Superior.

Charli Mills of Hancock, Mich., describes what she has learned from participating in the four annual People of the Heart Water Walks with the Anishinaabek.

The Rev. Julie Belew, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Baraga, speaks about her participation in the fourth annual People of the Heart Water Walk during a pause at Great Sand Bay on Lake Superior on Oct. 10, 2022, Indigenous Peoples' Day.

During a Water Walk relay stop at Great Sand Bay on the Keweenaw Peninsula on Oct. 10, 2022, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Kathleen Smith of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), who now works for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) as protector of wild rice, speaks about the purpose of the People of the Heart Water Walk, which she has helped organize and lead for four years.

Theresa Pitts, KBIC member and Water Walker, participated this year for the third time in the People of the Heart Water Walk.** She has also participated in a children's water walk.  Pitts told Keweenaw Now her impression of what made this year's walk unique.

"This year’s Walk was first and foremost a healing journey for Nibi; but, as it happened, it was also a journey of solace for some of our walkers," Pitts noted. "This was the first time I’d seen that dynamic in the Walk, which gave rise to some poignant moments that will stay in my heart for the rest of my life."

Gichigamikwe Terri Swartz of KBIC, co-founder of the People of the Heart Water Walk, returns Nibi to Lake Superior at the final stop near Copper Harbor on Oct. 10, Indigenous Peoples' Day. (Photo © and courtesy Steve Brimm)

In a Facebook post accompanying the above photo, photographer Steve Brimm of Copper Harbor expresses these thoughts:
"Nibi is life.  
For three days, the water must not stop. Carried as caringly as a newborn, solely by Kwe, it gathers power and heals. Released at the end of the journey, to carry the medicine of positive intent to all of the waters, to all living things."***

Notes:

* Click here for more details on the Nibi Song.

** See the Oct. 18, 2021, Keweenaw Now guest article by Theresa Pitts, "People of the Heart Water Walk offers hope for area lake."

*** Reprinted with permission.